Castell Coch (Red Castle)

Gold cherry

By marandina

Wed, 12 Jul 2023
  • 1113 reads
21 comments
 

Castell Coch (Red Castle)

The sun shifted on its summer throne

as our guide gathered us like sheep,

onwards through park, path and trails,

pink-infused meadows; humming bees.

 

Traversing fans of fern, banks of thistle

to where walls worn by time appeared,

weather-beaten ruins, crumbling brick,

stones stolen by the thieves of always.

 

We listened to stirring tales of battle,

ghost stories of a woman in white,

the past now becoming the present

inside arches built by heraldic toil.

 

Closed eyes cast spells imagined,

archers firing arrows, repelling foe,

songs of the ages sung by spirits,

waterless moat reclaimed by flora.

 

Intoned epochs of generations ago,

monochrome stills of life and death,

unfolding re-wilding in fields of gold,

where nature once again holds sway.

 

Archaic manor house sett for badgers 

where paws tread near silent hearths,

shadows, night shrieks, bats in flight,

this discreet bastion for local wildlife.

 

As we turned to leave the ancient site,

for every revelation, a secret remained,

with all the expert theories, conjecture,

the reason why red, a mystery endures.

 

 

 

*Pic is my own

 

Notes:

This poem is based on a history walk I went on at Bluestone National Park in Pembrokeshire. The guide was a noted historian - Simon Hancock - who gave a wonderful tour of the castle. For all of the history imparted, it was the fact that the 12th century ruins are called the Red Castle and yet it remains unknown as to the specific reason why even now that made it so interesting.

https://britishlistedbuildings.co.uk/300006087-castell-coch-martletwy

Certificate U
Poem
Miscellaneous Poems
Nature

Comments

Submitted by Ewan on

 that often happens over time. A candidate might be Cloch, which means bell, I believe. However, historians and archaelogists will have pored over such possibilities for years.

I only point it out, because - as you may very well know - the Red Sea is actually the Reed Sea, and Moses probably led the gang across during a period of drought when they were wandering about trying to find The Promised Land.

An interesting subject for another poem, perhaps, investigating the name. A chieftain/king perhaps, Owain Goch.

Anyway, enough drivel. Nice poem, I'll be interested to see what RhiannonW thinks of it.

Author Page at the 'Zon
 

Submitted by marandina on

Thanks for reading, Ewan. I didn't know that about the Red Sea. The historian finished the tour with all the different theories about why it was the "Red" Castle. I think it came down to the stones turning that colour due to reacting with the smoke from the three kitchens that operated at different levels in the castle. I think anyway. Either way, the guide was a consummate speaker that made it a really pleasant way to spend an hour or so. 

 

Submitted by Rhiannonw on

Hi, both! 

I clicked on to read this, Paul, thinking it was Castell Coch near Cardiff. My mother lived across the valley, and as we drove up to her village, our children would look to see who would be the first to spot 'Castell Coch' as we went over the little ridge. Castell Coch was a Folly-rebuild of an old castle done in the 19th century I think, and peeping out of woodland across the valley like a German folk castle, but a wonderful little castle to explore for the children, as were the surrounding woods.

As for the crossing of the Red Sea. As the Red Sea is a part of the ocean, it wouldn't have a 'dry season' would it? I guess the only reason to doubt that the crossing occurred miraculously as recounted in detail in the book of Exodus in the Bible, and often referred to in other parts, and the drowning of the Egyptians seeking to re-enslave the people, is if you can't accept that there is any supernatural, anything/Anyone beyond our ken, greater in being than us.

I had not heard of this Castell Coch, Paul, but your poem is evocative of roaming such ruins, with their past largely unknown. I have always assumed ours was so called because I think the stones are slighly red. The surrounding earth is reddish, and the rock sandstone. I think this one may be also so, but as Ewan says, names can be distortions. (Barmouth is a distortion of the Welsh name for the town 'Abermaw' - the first part of the name being 'Aber' meaning 'river mouth' and the 'Maw' being the name of the river meeting the sea there, the 'Mawddach'! Rhiannon

 

 

Submitted by marandina on

Thanks for reading it, Rhiannon. When I was looking for a link to include, several Castell Cochs came up so it seems to be a popular name for Welsh castles. I think the "Red" aspect could have been for similar reasons to the one you know. Thanks for leaving such a detailed, interesting comment. 

 

Submitted by skinner_jennifer on

Hi Paul,

you describe what you are seeing with so much detail in your poem. It's always great when you have an interesting guide to share the history of where you are. I loved the third stanza, could just imagine the lady in white wandering within that great photo. 

And that fourth stanza: Closing eyes casting spells Imagined archers firing arrows - then songs of the ages sung by spirits. Conjuring a time of mystery and intrigue.

It sounds like a place that would capture my imagination as it has yours Paul.

Thank you so much for sharing this beauty of a poem. It was such a pleasure to read.

Jenny.

 

Submitted by marandina on

Thanks Jenny. Having read your poem earlier, it's a recurring theme that nature stimulates our imagination and takes us to all kinds of wonderful places in our minds as well as real life. I adore places like this :) 

 

Submitted by marandina on

Thank you for the cherries, ABC Eds. Much appreciated. Paul 

 

Submitted by Ewan on

 Strong narrative and imagery in this fine poem takes us along on the guided tour of the eponymous castle, that's why it's today's Pick of the Day.

Please spread the word on whatever is your social medium of choice, dear ABC-ers.

Author Page at the 'Zon
 

Submitted by marandina on

Oh thanks very much, Ewan. That's great news! Paul :) 

 

Submitted by Insertponceyfre... on

I really enjoyed this Marandina and am very glad it was given golden cherries as I totally missed it before! There's nothing quite as good as a proper history tour from someone who manages to be both knowledgeable and an interesting speaker - the two don't always happen together - well done, and congratulations!

 

Submitted by marandina on

Thanks for reading it, insert. Yes, there is a big difference with having a guide on a tour. I recall some wonderful ones when visiting the West Coast of Ireland years ago. They really bring a site to life. 

 

Submitted by Di_Hard on

Enjoyed this very much, too. I loved how you set up the sense of exciting history from the first line "The sun shifted on its summer throne" and there are lots of other wonderful images, eg "thieves of always" "past now becoming the present/inside arches" and "unfolding re-wilding in fields of gold,/where nature once again holds sway" made me think of breezes making waves in long grasses and wildflowers. "paws tread near silent hearths" is a great way to describe the new inhabitants. I really like how you evoke an interesting and rich past of human creation, and present of nature's works. Very well deserved POD!

 

Submitted by marandina on

Thanks for reading, Di. I was hoping to get across the fact that nature had reclaimed the castle. En route, there is a beautiful meadow with apple trees, blackberry bushes along with other flora. Everything that was produced went back to the circle of life as the only people to pick any of the fruit was the odd cyclist, so out of the way is the castle ruin. I loved that about this place :) 

 

Submitted by celticman on

Enjoyed your poem. I'm no archeologist, but I've often heard the theory of  Red Castle is becasue running out of grey paint castle is too much of a mouthful, in Welsh or Scot's. 

 

Submitted by marandina on

Thanks for reading, CM. There were a few theories listed but that wasn't one of them. I guess we'll never know for sure. The fact that history is not always certain and changes in time came across from the speaker. A good and interesting thing. 

 

Submitted by onemorething on

Wonderful, Paul. 

 

Submitted by marandina on

Oh thanks for reading, Rachel. Glad you liked it :) 

 

Submitted by Turlough on

Excellent writing Paul. Very enjoyable to read. 

Turlough

Submitted by marandina on

Thanks for reading, Turlough. Your thoughts are always welcome 

 

Submitted by David Kirtley on

A rich and strong image creating poem about this castle (and would describe other ruins and castles too!)! You take us back into history and conjecture. We missed this one when we went to Pembrokeshire a couple of times in recent years, although we did have a memorable visit to Pembroke Castle. (Alfred Muggins wonders whether the Red might have anything to do with squirrels?)

Submitted by marandina on

Thanks for reading, David. I don't remember red squirrels being one of the theories. Alfred Muggins would like the castle. I know how much he likes his history.